Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games is one of the biggest multi-sport events in the world, held once every four years. Often referred to as the ‘Friendly Games’, it brings together athletes from the 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.

Scotland has a proud history of success. From the first Games in 1930 through to a record-breaking medal haul at Glasgow 2014 and best ever overseas medal tally at Gold Coast 2018.

Events

Outwith the Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Games Scotland organises and supports a number of other events throughout the year.

These include the Commonwealth Games Scotland AGM, the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards and the Team Scotland Series, which brings together Scottish Championship events across 13 Commonwealth Games sports.

13th November 2017

Aquatics in the Spotlight with Sport Focus

Featured Athletes

We’re making a splash this week as the Team Scotland Sport Focus Series turns to Aquatics. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels over the coming week as we highlight Swimming and Diving as part of our countdown to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in April.

Our Sport Focus Series features each of the 18 sports on the Gold Coast 2018 programme through athlete interviews, facts & figures, competition news and more.

Aquatics at the Commonwealth Games

Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games sport, Aquatics won three gold, three silver and four bronze at Glasgow 2014, bringing their all-time total to an impressive 83 medals. The sport provided so many memorable moments in Glasgow including Hannah Miley defending her 400m IM title on the opening night, Ross Murdoch’s disbelief at taking gold and Erraid Davies’ beaming smile as the 13 year old became Team Scotland’s youngest medallist.

Swimming is a core sport in the Commonwealth Games, meaning it must be included on the sports programme, while Diving, Synchronised Swimming and Open Water Swimming are optional sports.

Find out more about Swimming and Diving in the Commonwealth Games, including the competition format, rules and equipment on our dedicated Aquatics page.

Team Scotland 2018

Twenty one swimmers were named in the first wave of selections to Team Scotland on 3 October 2017. All three of Scotland’s Glasgow 2014 gold medallists will return to defend their titles, with Hannah Miley going for an unprecedented third successive 400m Individual Medley gold in Gold Coast.

The team also contains a wealth of young talent lead by 20 year old World and Olympic medallist Duncan Scott. Scott McLay, who became Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Youth Games athlete of all-time with five medals at Bahamas 2017, makes an immediate step up into the senior team and is joined by Team Scotland’s flagbearer at the Samoa 2015 Youth Games, Craig McLean and 2017 World Junior Championship medallist Keanna MacInnes.

Selections have also been announced in Lawn Bowls and Squash, bringing the total number of athletes confirmed on Team Scotland to 33. Further selections for Aquatics will take place in February 2018.

Show Your Support!

You can show your support by uploading photos and messages on our supporters page and give Team Scotland’s athletes a boost as they prepare to do the country proud on one of sport’s biggest stages!

Look out for other ways to get behind the team in the countdown to Gold Coast on Team Scotland’s social media channels. Twitter Instagram Facebook

Scotland at the Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games is the only occasion where Scotland gets to compete in a multi-sport event as a nation in its own right and is one of only six countries to have competed in every Commonwealth Games since their inception in Hamilton in 1930. Represented by 15 athletes participating in six sports at those first Games, winning a very creditable 10 medals, Scotland have gone on to win medals at every Games since.

Edinburgh became the first city to hold the Games twice in 1970 and 1986 and also became the first city to host the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Scotland hosted the Games for a third time when Glasgow welcomed athletes and officials to the XXth Commonwealth Games which was held from 23rd July – 3rd August 2014. Team Scotland celebrated their most successful Games in history, winning a total of 53 medals.

Find out more about the Commonwealth Games and Team Scotland’s past success in our Past Games section.